J U D G M E N T

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The petitioner, who was working as Assistant Professor (Dairy Science) of Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayinikkara, Thrissur, seeks to quash Exts.P8 and P17 and to declare that the petitioner is entitled for grant of compassionate allowance as provided under Rule 5 Part III KSR with effect from 01.03.2015.

2. The petitioner states that she worked as Assistant Professor (Dairy Science) since 02.12.1988. She was due to retire on 13.01.2025. In the year 2000, the petitioner was afflicted with the mental illness Schizophrenia.

The illness affected the duties assigned to the petitioner. Her family advised her to join her spouse abroad for better treatment. The petitioner therefore went to United Kingdom.

3. Leave Without Allowance (LWA) was granted to the petitioner for the period from 01.03.2005 to 28.02.2015. The petitioner sought extension of leave for a further period from 01.03.2015. The 2^nd respondent, as per Ext.P2 communication dated 17.05.2019, rejected the request of the petitioner and directed the petitioner to rejoin duty. The petitioner was suffering from Schizophrenia even at that time. The petitioner therefore applied for retirement f